13 July 2014, 8:19 p.m. – The UST Growling Tigers and Tigresses opened their respective UAAP campaigns with disappointing defeats Sunday.
The Growling Tigers suffered a 40-59 beating against the National University Bulldogs at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum while the Tigresses crumbled down the stretch against defending champion La Salle, 50-56, at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Tigers started slow offensively in the first half as they found themselves trailing by nine, 9-18, in the middle of the second quarter.
But Karim Abdul sparked a 12-3 UST run to tie the game at 21 before entering the half trailing by four, 21-25.
In the third quarter, the Tigers’ offensive woes continued to haunt them as the Bulldogs opened up double-digit lead behind Jeth Rosario and Gelo Alolino.
The Bulldogs outscored the Tigers in the period, 22-10, to take a 47-31 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
“Ang layo natin sa sistema, nagkanya-kanya tayo. ‘Yung inexpect mag-deliver, wala,” head coach Bong Dela Cruz said.
The Tigers had several chances to turn the tide in the fourth quarter but their poor shooting, and timely hits from the Bulldogs, kept them at bay.
“Ang sama ng execution lalo na nung third and fourth quarter, laging nagre-relax,” Dela Cruz said.
Karim Abdul led UST with a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds while Mariano added 10. Alolino paced NU with 13 markers.
In womens play, The Tigresses struggled at the free throw line, missing a whopping 23 free throws, including five down the stretch that could have won them the game.
“Nandiyan ‘yung opening jitters. Bottomline naman na nagpatalo samin is free throws lalo na ‘yung mga crucial sa last minute ng game,” Tigresses head coach Chris Cantonjos said.
With La Salle enjoying a 11-point cushion behind Trisha Piatos in the fourth quarter, 52-41, UST came back with a 9-2 run behind the trio of Lore Rivera, Kim Reyes and Maica Cortes to cut the deficit to four, 50-54.
In the third frame, the Lady Archers’ relentless defense limited the Tigresses to only four field goals while Piatos sparked the La Salle offense with 10 points, including back-to-back treys.
Reyes led UST with 14 points while Rivera added 11. Piatos had a game-high 23 to pace the defending champions.
“Magfo-focus muna kami sa free throws and some adjustments. Hindi namin nagawa ‘yung gusto naming mangyari so ayun ‘yung aayusin namin,” Cantonjos said.
The Tigers and Tigresses will try to bounce back against the University of the East on Wednesday.
The Tigers take on the Red Warriors at the MOA Arena at 2 p.m. while the Tigresses face the Lady Warriors at the Blue Eagle Gym. D. R. M. Dioquino and J. D. G. Saynes
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BOX SCORES:
Men’s
UST 40 – Abdul 11, Mariano 10, Sheriff 7, Ferrer 5, Subido 3, Daquioag 2, Lo 2, Pe 0, Vigil 0
NU 59 – Alolino 13, Rosario 9, Aroga 8, Diputado 8, Khobuntin 6, Alejandro 5, Neypes 4, Celda 2, Perez 2, Salim 1, Javelona 1, Atangan 0
Quarter Scores: 9-14, 21-25, 31-47, 40-59
Women’s
UST 50 – Reyes 14, Rivera 11, Felisarte 10, Cortes 8, Magdaluyo 4, Penaflor 0, Angeles 0, Mandilag 0, Isanan 0, Brillantes 0
DLSU 56 – Piatos 23, Garcia 9, Vrgara 8, Claro 6, Mellendres 4, Ong 2, Roxas 2, Concuera 2, Castillo 0
Quarter Scores: 12-14, 24-23, 33-41, 50-56
Tigers reduced to mere kittens…. what a disappointing start for our Tigers… NO COHESIVENESS, NO OUTSIDE SHOOTING, NO GOOD PLAYS, NO GOOD ASSISTS, more of one on one… RELIABLE PLAYERS LIKE FERRER, ABDUL, MARIANO, DAQUIOAG AND LO… were too afraid to take shots, VERY DISORGANIZED, as if they just came in to show up for attendance….. ALTHOUGH they were runners up to Perpetual ALTAS in the recently FR. MARTIN CUP, its more than enough to sharpen their FANGS AND CLAWS…. BUT TODAY THOSE CLAWS AND FANGS WERE NOT THERE…. more of kittens devoured by the BULLDOGS. TIGERS WAKE UP!!! THIS IS THE REAL THING! its the 77th UAAP season go back to reality…. you guys are almost intact, but with the VERY POOR PERFORMANCE TODAY YOU’RE MORE OF a new comer and NU Bulldogs just TOYED WITH YOU….. COM’ON SHOW SOME PRIDE & F-E-R-O-C-I-T-Y!!! (TIME TO WAKE UP!)